Color of Paradise is a slightly less-known film by Majid Majidi, the Iranian director of Children of Heaven. Majidi explores several of his recurring themes in this movie, and again (as with Children of Heaven) has a child as a protagonist. This is a simple story, and the film is as much a tribute to the natural beauty of the countryside in Iran as it is a moving story about a child and his familial relationships.

The Story of Color of Paradise

Mohammad, the young child in Color of Paradise played by Mohsen Ramezani, is a blind child attending a special school. His father Hashem (played by Hossein Mahjub) is ashamed of his son's limitations, but will still stoop to using him to gain sympathy from women, as he is looking for a bride. Through the course of the film, Hashem tries to understand his son, but when he fails, is capable of many casual cruelties.

Mohammed is a sensitive and curious boy. His grandmother and sisters share their love of the land with him, and Majidi lovingly films the fields, flowers, birds, and trees. Mohammed can only hear and feel them, and Majidi as a director alternates between showing us the wonder through Mohammed's senses and the stunning vistas through the camera's lens.

This simple story has moved viewers all over the world. Majidi deserves his fame as a director, and it is wonderful for Westerners to be able to see this portrait of Iran--not as a political hotbed, but as a beautiful county, alive with human tales. If you would like to purchase Color of Paradise, you can do so on the Internet today.